Display device



v Feb. 12, 1935.

- J.- C. REDINGTON DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 123L 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y www t] E INVENToR. Jo/w C, RED/N6 To/v ATTOZ` EY.

2 5l position and prevent accidental displacement reproduction of a complete Story or Play by oon- 25 'Patented Feb.12,1935 c Y a y `1,990,671

v1,990,671 DISPLAY DEVICE John C. Redington, Wilton, conn. Appiication May 23,1933, seria1No.672,398 f 13 claims. (c1. 404-126)V u This invention relates to display devices and ing the method of'ifrictionally Supporting display particularly to devices .of this class involving a Characters in connection with` the device. display frame or casing consisting of .foldable Fig."5 is a planviewofa. part of the device parts in connection with which various display shown in- Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, collapsed for ship- 5 elements Vare adapted to be mounted to produce ment or transportation. ,t 5 through'an opening formed in the casing a pleas- Fig. 6V is a face Viewof a. scene element illusf UNITED STATES PATENT aoFFicE vide an apparatus consisting of alcasing prefer; For the purpose'or" illustrating one of the many l0 of the Velements displayed therein; a further @b a particular scene from a story, play or other ject being to provide means for illuminating the dramatic production may be reproduced to pro- Stage or chamber of the caslng to provide pleasvide an entertaining, educational as well as pleasacters placed on display Within the stage or With this Jthought in mind, it Will be understood 20 various soenereireots'; a stili further object being me predetermined stories, plays, operas or other 30 of my improvement are designated by suitable these artists or lts-current Weekly or da1ly studio 45 Fig. 1 is a front View of a device made according to my invention with parts of the construction Y broken away.

Flg- 2'1S a SBCOH 0I1 the line 2 2 0f Fg- 1 background, sceneelements representing colors 1 with parts of the structure removed.Y

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1'.V site side Walls of the casing and visible through Fig,v 41's aplan and sectional detail view showthe casing ,orY stage opening. y 55 play material For. example,y a paint concern 50 It will also be understood that while the stage or casing of the apparatus as well as the several display elements are preferably composed of printed, lithographed or otherwise formed sheets of cardboard, heavy paper or like fibrous material, the same may be constructed from sheet metal, colored and characterized in the known manners.

The invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is in the representation of a stage setting, and in the drawings 10 represents a casing or stage formed from a front frame element 11 having a large stage opening 12 therein and with a projecting top portion 13 of any desired contour. Attached to the sides of the frame 11 as seen at 14 is a sheet from which the side walls 15, back wall 16 and bottom wall.17 of the casing or stage are formed, these 'walls being all foldable with respect to each other to permit the compact folding or collapsing of the device into the positionshown in Fig. of the drawings for mailing, packing or other transportation ofthe device. It will be noted that the forward edge 18 of the'b'ottom wall 17 is-V curved or arc-shaped in form so that when the bottom wall is placed in position, the lower member' of the frame 11 is sprung outwardly to produce the arc-shaped foot-light'rail 11a of the stage setting as clearly -indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, and at the Vsame time serving to frictionally support the bottom 17 in position, the ends of the bottom wallY 17 having projecting lugs 19 which pass through apertures 20 in the side walls 15 to key the wall 17 in horizontal position. It will also be noted that the bottom wall 17 is disposedv above the lower edges of the side walls 15 and the part 11a of the frame 11 so as to provide supporting lugs for the casing or stage. This also provides a space below the bottom wall 17 in which may be arranged suitable means of illumination.

In the construction shown, a plurality of electric bulbs 21 and their sockets 22 are supported in foldable brackets 23 arranged on the inner surface of the part 11a of the frame 11 and beneath and adjacent light openings 24 in the bottom wall 17 so as to produce the footlight illuminating eifectsdesirable in a display or stage setting of the class under consideration. Similar brackets 23a may also be arranged on the inner surface of the wallsr 15 to support' bulbs 21a and their sockets 22a for illuminating the sides of the stage or display setting. rIn this connection, by using eight bulbs, a common Christmas tree lighting circuit may be employed for the illuminating effect. However, the type of lights or lighting effect employed may be varied to suit the size, style and type of display apparatus used'.`

The bottom wall 17 is provided with a series of arc-shaped apertures 25 preferably arranged in different angular positions with respect to each other and in different positions over the surface of said wall which constitutes a stage platform so that numerous characters, figures or objects may be arranged and supported thereon in different relationship with respect to each other, and it will be understood that these openings or cut outs may have different arrangements in the production of different stage settings to adapt them for the production of predetermined displays and the characters orother elements used in the display. f

At 26 and 26a I have shown silhouetted character elements, the element 26 representing a girl or woman andthe element 26a aY boy or man,

and each of these elements includes at the lower that by providing end thereof a projecting tongue 27 adapted to be passed through the arc-shaped apertures 25, and by reason of the fact that the tongues are straight, they are frictionally passed into the apertures 25 and serve to support the elements 26, 26a in upright position and also against accidental displacement from the floor 17. At this time, it will be understood that if a relatively large element 26, 26a is employed, two or more of the projecting tongues 27 may be arranged thereon to engage correspondingly spaced apertures 25.

rIn certain uses of my invention, for example, in the reproductions of plays, the cut out or silhouetted figures, characters or other display elements may be die cut or otherwise formed from a sheet of heavy paper, cardboard or the like and removed therefrom in the production of various stage or scene settings. In this way, it will be understood that by purchasing or otherwise acquiring the equipment involving the scene-figures yand character elements of different plays, stories orother dramatizations, the same may be reproduced in a single stage involving the casing and the several parts thereof, or if desired, each play or the' like may have supplied with it a special stage structure and this is especially true when the device and the several parts thereof are composed of printed or lithographed cardboard or like material.

At this time, it will also be understood that in the production ofV advertising displays, the iigures or characters will be produced in accordance with conventional methods and not necessarily be involved in a sheet or card from which they are removed by a user. In conjunction with the casing or stage are employed other scene elements, for example, a curtain 28 which is movable vertically with respect to and arranged immediately adjacent the opening 12 in the frame 11 and can be raised and lowered by means of a finger piece 29 thereon, the upper corner portions of the curtain 28 having hook-shaped projections 30, the recesses 31 of which are adapted to pass through corresponding recesses 32 in the upper end of the side walls of the casing. Each side wall has a plurality yof the recesses or notches 32 to receive other scene elements 33 disposed at opposite sides Vof the stage and including projections 33a similar to the projections 30, note Fig. 1 of the drawings. On the inner face of each side wall 15 adjacent the upper end thereof is arranged a strip or sheet of corrugated paper or other material 34 which aids in supporting the scene elements 33 and also serves to adjustably support other scenev elements 35, the element 35 in the construction shown consisting of a back Wall 36 having foldable side wings 37 and 38, the ends of the latter being' adjustably supported in the corrugated sheets 34 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and also include portions 38a which are cut from the material of the wings 34 and project beyond the folded corners or edges 39. It will be understood that the scene elements 33 to 35 may be of any desired contour and characterized by lithographing, printing or otherwise to produce a predetermined scene. In this connection, it will be understood that the curtain 28 will also be preferably characterized to represent a curtain. All of these features of characterization are eliminated from 1the accompanying drawings, solely for the purpose of simplification and to avoid confusion. It will also be understood the corrugated sheets 34, a very simple and yet effective method is provided stage body, a display elements to produce inthe resulting reproduction veryfpleasing, attractive as Well as natural effects. Y 'v It will be understood that-while I have shown specific structure, that my Having fully describedmy invention, what I lclaim as new andV desire to secure byV Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of theclass described 'comprising a stage body, 'a display element adapted to be on said body and bers, land the bottom 'wall member having a curved outer edge Vadapted, to flex theV adjacent lower portion or" said frame outwardly in eX- tending the wall members to form the stage body. v f p 2, A device of the-class described comprising a stage'body, a display Yelement adapted to be supportedin said body, means on said body and element for supporting the same in predetermined position and against Yaccidental displaceings. l Y Y '3. VAV device of the class described comprising a element adapted` toV be supbody, said body having a front `stage opening and a curtain movably supported vin the body vadjacent said openingjcontrolling 4vision of the stage and the display and scene elements thereon, said stage body comprising a frame including foldable side,V backv and bottom wall members, the bot- 45 A' device stage body, a

6. a stage body consisting bers toi form the stage body, the VVbottom Wall plurality of side walls'thereof. Y

t of the class described comprising a display element adapted to be supported in said body, means on said body and element for sitions of adjustment.,

5. A device of said means including an arc-shaped opening in theV licor cf'said stage body and a projecting tongue on said element of a width substantially equal to the length of said opening and frictionally engaging the walls of said opening to retain said element in position, the ioor or said stage over the surface thereof and in different angular Y to each other whereby a plurality of display elements may be supported indifferent angular relations parts, one part having a large opening bounded ing folded to form back, side and bottom walls, by top, bottom and side walls, the other part the ends of the side walls of the second named being folded to form back, side and bottom walls. part being attached to the first part to form a the ends of the side walls of the second named collapsible unit of the entire stage body, the botpart being attached to the first part to form a tom wall of the second named part being attached collapsible unit of the entire stage body, the to the first part to form a collapsible unit of bottom wall of the second named part being foldthe entire Stege body. the bottom Weil of the Seoable with respect to the lower edge of the back ond named part being foldable with respect to the wall thereof and being arranged adjacentrthe loWer edge of the back Wall thereof and being lower edge oi the stage opening formed in the arranged adjacent the ioWeI edge of the Stege nrst named part and forming the floor of said opening formed inthe rst named part and formstage opening when said parts are extended for ing Jdle floor of Said Stage opening When Seid use, a plurality of vertically extending and lonparte ore extended for use the loWer ends of gitudinauy spaced channels at the upper ends the side Walls 0f the second named part being only of the inner surfaces of the side walls of said in aiinernent With the lower edge of the first second named part, and scene members adapted Ynerned Dart to Support seid Ports on a table or to be adjustably arranged in the stage opening other surface when extended for use, and the and engaging predetermined channels to retain forward edge of the Stage floor being Curved Outthe same in different positions of adjustment. Wnrdly end adopted to eX the loWer Portion of 7. A device of the class described comprising the first named part outwardly in a Curved Cona stage body consisting .of two attached sheet tourparts, one part having a large opening bounded 10. A device of the class described comprising by tcp, bottom and side walls, the other part beo Stege body Consisting of a back wall, e bottom ing folded to form back, side and bottom wang, wall and side Walls foldable with respect to the the @nos of the Sido walls of the second named back wall, the bottom wall when extended for use part being attached to the mst part to form o being attached to the side walls and arranged collapsible unit of the entire stage body, the bot- -eboVe the loWeI ends of Seid Side Wells, and a tom wall of the second named part being foldable Sneet having a large central opening therein atwth rospoot to tho lower edge of the book Wou tached to the forward ends of the side walls and thereof and being arranged adjacent the lower forming e Stege frerne bordering the top, bottom edge of the stage opening formed inthe rst and Sides of the Stege opening formed between named port and forming the goor of said Stage the back, bottom and side walls of said body. opening when said parts are extended for use, 1L A device of the Class described Comprising a plurality of vertically extending and longitudi- @Stege body Consisting of a beek Wall, a bottom many spaced channels at, the upper ends only of vlan and Side Walls foldable respect t0 the the inner surfaces of the side walls of said secback Wall, the bottom Well When extended for on@L named port, scono members adapted to be use being attached to the side walls and arranged adjustably arranged in the Stage opening and above the lower ends of said side walls, a sheet engaging predetermined channels to retain the hai/'mg a' large Centro-l opening therein attached somo in different positions of adjustment, and to the forward ends of the side walls and forming means on the loor of the stage body whereby ai Sta-ge from@ bordering the top, bottom and a plurality of scene characters may be supported Sides 0f the Stage opening formed between the in dirierent angular relationship with respect to back bottom and Side Wells of seid body, and the oooh othon o lower part of said frame being in alinement with g A device of the class described comprising the lower ends of the side walls and closing the o Stage body consisting of two attached Sheet .space below the bottom Wall or floor of said stage partsyone part having a large opening bounded Dody- Y by top, bottom and side Walls the other part be 12. A device of the class described comprising ing folded to form book, sido and bottom walls, e Stege body, a not, strip-like display element the ends of the side walls of the second named adapted t0 be Supported on Said body moons on part oo-mg attached to the first part to form a the body and element for supporting said element collapsible unit of the entire stage body, the botagainst accidentel displacement from Said body, tom wall of the second named part being foldable Said means Comprising en arc-Shaped opening in with respect to the lower edge of the back wall .the floor 0f Sad Stage body and e projecting thereof and being arranged adjacent the lower tongue Centrally of the loWer end of seid eieodgo of the Stage opening formed in the mst ment .of a width substantially equal to the length named part and forming the floor of said stage of sald OPnmg and frictlon'lly engaging the opening when said parts are extended for use, Walls of said opening to retain said element in a plurality of vertically extending and longitudiupnght pompon on me Stage floor, and the nally spaced channels at the upper ends only of element hal/mg a' portlon adlaem the tongue the inner surfaces of the side walls of said second engaging tbe Stage floor to limit movement of named part, scene members adapted to be adthe tong@ mto the opening. of the ool." and me justably arranged in the Stage Opening and en floor .of said stage body having a plurality of said gaging predetermined channels to retain the peinngs arranged over the surface thereof and same in different positions of adjustment and m dlfferent angular relations Wlth respect to each means on the floor of the stage body whereby a other whereby a mummy of display elements lum f en h tu b t d may be supported on the stage floor 1n different 1 9 l'Y 0 SC e C amends may. e Suppor e angular relations'with respect to each other. m f hffent aflgular relationship with feslect to 13. A device of the class described comprising ca cn other, said last named means including rela stage bodyy a nat! strpuke display element atively thin and Slightly Curved epeltilresadapted to be supported on said body, means on 9. A device of the class described comprising the body and element, for Supporting said dee Stage bodb7 Consisting of tWo attached Sheet ment against accidental displacement from said parts, one part having a large opening bounded body, said means comprising an arc-shaped openby top, bottom and side walls, the other part being in the door of said stage body and a pro- J'ectng tongue cenraHy of the Iwei element gf a' openings arranged over in dierent angular relations with respect to each JOHN C. REDINGTON. 

